Page 15 of Rescuing Ryder

“Oh, the baby started to fuss and I didn’t leave a meal for you. Claire must’ve dropped it off.” Kassie explained.

Dr. Winters held the door for his wife and they left him alone. There weren’t any guilt trips, the silent condemnation at his refusal to take meds or judgment. They informed him of what they expected. He walked over to the board and examined thehandwriting of the sassy blonde. She didn’t think he’d stay. Yet she ensured he enjoyed a meal at his cabin.

Would it kill him to try it for a couple of weeks?

He laughed at the irony of his statement. Isn’t that what he planned to do? He sat down at the table and placed his head in his hands.

Gunner, what do I do?

The words echoed in his mind as if his best friend sat inside his chest, waiting for him to ask.

You live a life worthy of all of us.

Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the board and went to find his friend. He agreed. This place felt different, but was it enough to make his life worth living?

CHAPTER TEN

Claire picked up the boxes and put them in the trunk of her car. She finally purchased a new home in Serenity. The four-bedroom Victorian contained a large, sunny screened-in patio with a view of the mountain she loved. The office in the front of the house contained built-in bookshelves, perfect to showcase her growing collection of first-edition classics. Her master bedroom contained French doors leading to the patio, adding charm to her cozy space. She practically squealed in excitement when she signed on the dotted line.

Her new friends on Serenity Mountain pitched in and helped paint the inside and clear the yard. The moving truck was scheduled to arrive the next day and Claire wanted to bring things from her office to her home. With the extra doctor on staff, she found time to pick out furnishings and now needed a handyman for her to-do list. Several items required putting together and she fell short. The mini kitchen cart sat sadly in the corner of her new place, missing screws and tilting to the side. Hopefully, whoever she hired would manage to fix it.

She drove up the mountain, unloaded her boxes and other items, and took them to her office. A knock at her office door made her glance up.

“Hi, Chase. Sorry for the mess. I’m trying to pack up what I want to take to the home office.”

“I understand. Are you sure we can’t help you tomorrow when the movers come? I’m sure Leo can send a couple of men and I can make it.”

“No. I scheduled the next three days off to organize. Plus, Jake lives right around the corner if I need him,” she reassured him as she pulled books from her collection and added them to her pile for home. “What can I do for you?”

“Ryder agreed to stay with us. Kassie took him on a tour and showed him where to go. She introduced him to Whiskey and drove him into town for groceries. I wanted to know if you can fit him in this afternoon. I know it’s short notice, but Andrew’s already booked. You’ve read the care plan and he needs therapy.”

She leaned over her desk and flipped the calendar. “I have time at 1430. I read his file. Do you think he’ll stick with it? He refused meds, and the countless notes from his care teams mentioned he didn’t take things seriously. I can only work with him if he’s willing to make an effort,” she expressed her concerns.

Chase leaned against the back of the chair. “Kassie noticed something. It seems he likes a challenge. He showed surprise with your bluntness and when you left without hounding him. When I reviewed the notes, he received standard medical care. In his case, it won’t work. You know as well as I do what works for one doesn’t work for another. By giving him a choice, we gave him control. I’m counting on your expertise and will follow your lead.”

“Yes, he responds to the challenge and choices. I may go off-book with him. Do I have your consent to proceed with some unorthodox methods? Ryder doesn’t call himself by his moniker. He feels unworthy of the title. He sticks with the top layers ofhis issues. My concern starts when I begin closing in on the harder stuff. In my professional opinion, he’ll run when things get tough. From all the previous notes, he stops therapy once they start delving into him losing the team.”

“I have faith you know what you’re doing. I’ll send him to you this afternoon,” Chase encouraged her. “If you need any help, you’ll call?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Chase left her alone, and she thought about the man she met the day before. The pain seemed etched in his face. Tiny lines and darkened eyes proved he didn’t sleep. He carried a chip on his shoulder and used snide remarks to mask his pain. As if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. Alone, he walked without purpose. She witnessed the lost expression in his eyes a thousand times before. Ryder Hawkins presented her with a challenge and she wondered which one would win in the end.

Ryder walked to Dr. Meyers’office. He knocked and waited before stepping in. A muffled response came through the door, and he turned the knob.

The doctor bent over a box and Ryder caught a nice view of her behind in her form-fitting pencil skirt.

“I’m here for my appointment. If you’re busy, I can come back.” Ryder offered, not caring if he attended the session or not.

She attempted to straighten and pull her silk top down before turning to greet him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t hear you knock. I’m attempting to put my lamp together to decide whether I want it for here or to take it home. Now, I’m returning it. The shade won’t straighten and thelight bulb thingy won’t tighten. I think it’s missing pieces,” she scowled, wholly engrossed in the atrocious item in her hand.

“Did it come that way or did you murder it?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Very funny. Believe it or not, I have many talents. Unfortunately, they don’t line up with putting things together.” She picked up the screwdriver in her hand and frowned.

“How about I handle the light, and you lecture me for the hour? I’ll pretend I’m listening.” Shaking his head, he plucked the fixture and tool from her hand.

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